Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-07-06
Citizens Meeting--special Election
Decided Upon.

Declueu upon.
The special meeting of citizens, tc
decide whether it was advisable tc
bond the city for paving certain
streets, took place at the Council Room
Friday evening. Mayor Pack was
appointed chairman and o. l.. Part
ridge, secretary. There were q per-
sons in the room, including reporters
etc.
The Mayor was asked to give his
view of the bonding business, and de-
clared himself in favor of bonding
the city for $4,000, and that the
bonds be payable $4,000 per year
the last to run not over six years.
Postmaster Culligan being called
on, stated he had conversed with many
citizens on the subject and they were
in favor of the contemplated improve
ments. He favored issuing $4,000
of bonds, not to run over six years,
but would rather have them run 20
years than not have the improvements
made.
L. j. Partridge asked for informa'
ton as to the cost of paving, and city
surveyor Rice, at request of chair
man, stated that Chisholm street from
Sd to 10th street, would cost some
where about $4,000.
Casper Alpern, being called upon,
stated his belief that the main streets
should be paved as soon as possible
that enough bonds should be issued
to give each ward satisfactory i'm
provements, and that $4,000 would
not do so. The amount to be paid
each year should not be over $4,000
l.. j. Partridge said that not less
than s45, 1000 of bonds should be is
sued, to run ten years.
Alderman Campbell was in favor
of issuing $4,000 bonds, but not to
run over seven years.
Alderman McPhee expressed his
belief that the citizens were in favor
of issuing the bonds for paving streets,
but he believed $4,000 too small a
sum, us the streets to be paved would
require considerable money for sewer
ing. He did not believe it wise to
have them run for long time, be-
cause numbering would not last many
years.
DIR. Wilkinson, being called upon,
stated the need of paving, and ex-
pressed himself in favor of bonding
the city for such work, and for bonds
to run long period.
Alderman McPhee then gave plain
statement of the question. Ten years
from now the city would not be able
to find a number of firms, each with
many million feet of logs to assess, to
help pay the bonds. A pavement
would not last much over seven years,
and, therefore, if bonds were issued
to pave the streets they should be re.
deemed while those who had the ben.
eft of them, were doing business. II
the bonds were to be redeemed at a
long period, they would have to be
paid for by those who received nc
special benefit from them, and after
the pavements were wore out, and the
g reater part of the lumber industry
ended.
j. Z. D'Aiglc was in favor of bond
ing the city for $4,000, to run ten
years, but the streets to be benefited
should be designated.
Chas. Cook was not in favor Of
bonding the city and paying interest,
but if such was done, then it ought
to be for short period. Agreed with
Alderman McPhee's view Of the mat.
ter, that if the bonds were made pay
able many years from now, that the
small property owners would have to
bear the expense. Would like to see
the streets improved.
Alderman Campbell moved that a
special election be held on Monday,
July 18th, 1887, for the purpose OF
deciding whether $4,000 of bonds
should be issued, to run seven years.
Supported by l.. j. Partridge.
The Mayor was about to put the
question to vote, when o. l.. Part
ridge got up and made remarks in
favor of bonding the city, also show
ing how much Alpena was behind
other cities, as they had much larger
debt per head for improvements.
l.. J. Partridge again got the floor
and argued in favor of the bonding
business.